[MD] Problems with Intellectual control of Society

[ARLO J BENSINGER JR]

[WillBlake]
It would appear that anti-intellectualism is just another word (like PC) which
really has no meaning except as a tool to insult someone or to get one's way.

[Arlo]
Actually, this would be "intellectual pinhead" and "elitist" and the host of
other barrages one hears on talk-radio and other right-wing media outlets to
demonize "professors and academics". 

If you really do not think the right-wing is engaged in a war against
"intellectuals", where "pinhead ivory tower elitists" are pitted against the
noble, heroic, common "folk", then I'd ask you to turn on any of these
right-wing pundits on any given night. 

Witness here alone how many derogatory and demonizing comments Platt makes
about "the academy" or "academics" on an ongoing basis. Along with "the liberal
media", the right-wing has been demonizing the academy, professors, teachers,
as mass-brainwashing, anti-liberty, anti-freedom, enemies of "all that is
good/the populace/heroic conservatives".

Talk-radio is likely the single loudest example of fear-based, emotive rhetoric
we have seen. It is practically devoid of all substance, rather it operates by
pandering to the lowest fears in people. Rather than educating or trying to
explain complex issues, it grasps onto paranoic slogans like "death panels" and
repeats them ad nauseum in an attempt to rile up angry voters. It is "nightmare
politics" in its media form. Everyone and everything opposed to the ideology is
an agent of evil, an arm of destruction that will destroy America, destroy
liberty, destroy freedom. 

In any event, "PC" is a tool wielded by both sides; right-wing and left-wing.
"The Patriot Act" is likely the most insidious example of "PC" I can think of.
But even expressions like "War on Terror" is "PC". "PC" is simply framing an
expression to create built-in definitions. "PC' is the reaction the "right" has
everytime anyone speaks any ill of "America". You simply are not allowed to do
it.

We've been through this before here, and I'll say again I think there are many
examples of "PC" I don't get worked up about. I have no problem with terms like
"retard" being relegated to the PC-dustbin. Perhaps you'd like to give me some
examples of "PC" you find problematic?